The Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

16 Sep, 2009

All praise is due to Allah, and may endless blessings be upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad, his Kin, and his Companions.

Once again, these are excerpts taken from the book Kanz Al-Najāḥ wa As-Surūr (The Treasures of Success and Felicity) regarding the benefits and special qualities of each month. Now that we have reached the last10 days of Ramadan, we will focus mostly on the benefits of these blessed days.

Allah showers His mercy upon the Muslims especially during these last10nights. In them, du‘ā’ is answered particularly quickly, and especially after one finishes a complete reading (khatm) of the Qur’ān (the best time to complete the lastsuras in the Qur’ān is either right after Fajr or right after Maghrib, and since the nights are so significant, it would be better in to finish it right after Maghrib during the last10). Also, Allah forgives many, many people and frees them from the Hellfire – so it is recommended to repeatedly ask Allah for forgiveness with a heart that is present and focused on Him, Exalted is He! Also, O Believer, these are the days which the Beloved Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, described as the days when Allah frees people from the Fire. So be alert and make use of these days in worship and repentance.

Probably the greatest blessing within these last10nights is that Laylat Al-Qadr [The Night of Great Value] is hidden somewhere within its odd nights. It is related by Imām Aḥmad (a sound hadith) that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Laylat Al-Qadr is within the 10 remaining days. Whosoever stays up [in prayer/worship]… Allah, most Exalted, will forgive all his [or her] past and future sins. And it is on an odd night, the 9th, or the 7th, or the 5th, or the 3rd, or the last night.”

It is particularly important throughout these nights to attempt to pray both ‘Ishā’ and Fajr in congregation. On the authority of Sayyiduna Anas, may Allah be well pleased with him, the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “Whosoever prays during Laylat Al-Qadr [both] ‘Ishā’ and Fajr in congregation (jamā‘ah) then they have taken from Laylat Al-Qadr the greatest portion.”

Du‘ā’ for the Last10Nights

Our mother, the Lady ‘Aisha, may Allah be well pleased with her, asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, “O Messenger of God, if it is Laylat Al-Qadr, then what [prayer] should I supplicate with?”

He replied with the famous du‘ā’:

اللهم إنّكَ عَفُوٌ كريمٌ، تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فاعْفُ عنا

“Allahumma, innaka ‘Afūwwun Karīmun, tuḥibbu al-‘afwa fa‘afu ‘annā”

“O God, indeed You are Pardoning and Generous; You love to pardon, so pardon us.”

Some scholars have recommended that one add at the end of the previous du‘ā’ another du‘ā’ of the Prophet’s, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him: